The revised handover date is attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Tideway’s operations.
The delay is also said to add a further £233m to the forecasted project cost which now stands at an estimated £4.133bn.

In its statement, Bazalgette Finance said: “Tideway is in discussions with Ofwat on a package of measures that would mitigate the financial impact of Covid-19 on the company. We are making progress in these discussions and we expect to reach a full agreement in the coming months.”

Other than ongoing essential works, construction on Tideway paused for a short period during the coronavirus lockdown. It recommenced at the majority of the company’s worksites in May, but at a slower pace due to the effect of social distancing compliance.

Dubbed London’s ‘super-sewer’, Tideway is currently the biggest water infrastructure project in Europe and is designed to prevent millions of tonnes of raw sewage entering the River Thames every year.